“Precious Time” is the third album release from singer Katriona Taylor and appears on her own DivaDoll label (with distribution by Cadiz Music). It follows her début album “You Are My Melody” (2005) and the concert recording “One Night Live” (2006).

Both these records included a mix of standards and originals. This time Taylor has decided to showcase her own song writing on a set of twelve originals. She may not have anything particularly original to say-the lyrics are all fairly anodyne girl meets boy stuff-but she does have an attractive way of saying it. Her voice is sultry,soulful and well enunciated and as a writer she has a way with a melody.

Taylor has worked with some impressive musicians- the Neil Cowley Trio backed her on “Melody”- and the current crop are more than up to the task. John Crawford (keyboards), Davide Mantovani (bass), Guillermo Hill (guitar) and Chris Nickolls (drums) lay down a a mean soul/jazz/funk groove that complements Taylor’s smouldering vocals superbly. Essentially the band are used in a supportive role but they prove to be excellent accompanists. On the occasions that they are granted a little solo space they keep things short and tasty.

Taylor is happiest when operating in soul/funk mode. She cites Randy Crawford as one of many influences and Crawford certainly sounds to be the most obvious reference point. The opening three tracks “I Need You”, “He’s My Desire” and “Lovin’ You Baby” all come from the soul/jazz stable with the latter the most overtly funky.

“The Bitter End” is a creditable foray into blues territory but the ballads “Fantasy” and “You Make Me” are less convincing. The latter of these employs a baiaoa rhythm that perhaps reflects the fact that she spent part of her childhood in Portugal. Taylor is the daughter of Roger Taylor, the former UK number one tennis player and Davis cup captain. Thought I’d chuck that in for all you trivia fans out there.

“My Soul Is Free” marks a brief return to familiar funk territory. It is followed by two slow burning ballads “Play Me That Song” and “The Things We Forgive” which this time round exhibit a greater degree of emotional involvement and are far more successful.

The put down song “Chill Me” is an alliance of funk and blues but the mood is offset by the over earnest ballad “Kiss Me” that immediately follows.

Finally comes the title track which showcases Taylor the live performer in a recording made at London’s Pizza Express Jazz Club. Her abilities in this area have earned her support slots with UK   Hammond gurus the James Taylor Quartet and US jazz/soul superstar George Benson.

Taylor has made an attractive if lightweight album and it is good to see a singer having faith in her own material rather than just relying on standards. For myself I prefer something rather more ambitious but there can be little doubt that Taylor is particularly adept at mining the territory where jazz, soul and funk meet. She is at her best with mid tempo, groove orientated material in this area and with her soulful voice has the ability to appeal to a crossover audience. This is the kind of stuff that was championed by Michael Parkinson and which made stars of the likes of Katie Melua and Norah Jones.

Whether Taylor has the distinctiveness to move on to this level remains to be seen. She is a competent writer but “Precious Time” doesn’t quite do enough to stand out from the crowd. That elusive big crossover hit still awaits.

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